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The Spinoff
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Spinoff
One MP, One Pint: Being a Survivor ‘super fan' and getting deported with Simon Court
Act MP Simon Court only has one political regret: providing menstrual advice. It's been a tense week in parliament, as the government spends the next month mulling over whether Aotearoa should recognise Palestinian statehood. The conflict in Gaza is a topic that Simon Court is particularly passionate about, with his pro-Israel stance informed by experiences with Jewish-New Zealander friends and the belief that there's not much difference between that small nation and ours. That position has become increasingly hard to defend (according to most of our allies and the rest of the world) but we are here for only one pint so I've left that particular huge argument to the House. There is something very different that Court and I agree on right away: west is best. Sure, he's not a native West Aucklander, but after spending summers in Piha as a teenager and field trips through the Waitākere ranges as a civil engineering student at Unitec, he's never looked back. Also, I once lived in New Lynn for four months and have had four boyfriends who lived along the 195 bus line, so I can vouch for the place being the best part of Auckland, too. What I like about Court right away is that he shouts our round. I've got a Parrotdog, Court's got a Panhead, and he's telling me about his favourite parts of the west, like the Sugar Grill and Delicious Café in Te Atatū, but he also reckons there's a way it could be made better. Court has a member's bill currently sitting in the biscuit tin, which would abolish the liquor monopoly held by the Waitākere Licensing Trust (as well as those in Invercargill and Mataura) – not the Trust itself, but its restrictions on the sale and supply of alcohol within a community, so that Westies could have the option of buying a bottle of wine from the supermarket, or establishing a few local venues to serve the area's creatives. 'We've got a lot of musicians in West Auckland – there's lots of bands and producers, and people like King Kapisi and Fur Patrol are all Westies – yet there's nowhere for them to play locally, where they can set up and we can go have a beer and watch the band,' Court says. 'The barrier, as I see it, is the liquor licensing monopoly … We can keep the Trust, we just want them to perform better and deliver back to their community.' And if there were more bars out West, there could be more opportunities for people to hear Court's best pub yarn: that time he got deported from Fiji. Court had been working in Suva as an engineer for MWH Global, managing Chinese government contractors the Fijian government had hired to build the largest island's roads. After discovering reinforced steel poking out of newly built bridges and soil dumped down hills (creating landslide risks), Court reported the shoddy works to the Fijian government, but 'it turns out that that was a bit embarrassing, a bit uncomfortable for everyone involved, [and] it's much easier to get rid of the Kiwi engineers [than] have a difficult conversation'. And voilà, deportation time. You'd probably expect someone with a background in environmental engineering to be sitting in the opposition benches, rather than with Act (and Court's pretty sure his wife, a former Forest and Bird employee who has worked on Green Party campaigns, has switched her vote too). But, Court sees himself as more of an 'engineered solutions' guy rather than a 'zero waste' guy, plus, there's a lot of value in having an open mind – like the fact that while Court would rather listen to the drum and bass beats by Liquid, he can still accept that David Seymour is a 'massive fan' of Dire Straits ('you know, the thing we never wanted to hear again in the 80s and 90s'). Truly, nobody is perfect, which is why Court is totally unabashed when it comes to talking about his greatest love: reality television. Or, more specifically, Survivor. As a 'super fan' of the Australian spinoff of the series, Court has taken his family on trips through Samoa to revisit former filming locations, like the campsite and those poles that the contestants cling to in those challenges sometimes (which you'd remember if you were a true super fan). And even though he's absolutely fizzing about the show, he doesn't reckon he has what it takes to win Survivor – 'I'll go to the gym for half an hour and that's enough'. 'Maybe I should start with Celebrity Treasure Island,' Court reckons. THE SPINOFF PUB Q+A How much should a pint cost? Whatever the market dictates. Do you have a karaoke go-to? The last time I was doing karaoke it was 'Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga … But if I'm at home singing in front of the TV with my boys, it'd be Faith No More's 'Easy'. Favourite place to get a drink in Aotearoa? Probably Dr Rudi's, down at the viaduct in Auckland. Which three MPs would be on your pub quiz team? [Act's] David Seymour, because he's exceptionally smart. [National's] Chris Bishop, because he's my mate now and he knows everything about New Zealand music and sport, and [Labour's] Dr Deborah Russell, because she keeps telling me she has three degrees, and I reckon she'd be really helpful in a pub quiz. Which MP from across the aisle would you most like to share a drink with? [Greens'] Steve Abel — I've heard he really likes craft beer, and I'd like to ask him how he kept his beers cold for the 240 days he spent in a tree in Avondale holding up a housing development. What's a policy area we've been nursing without finishing the glass? Well, I did read about a Vic Uni student's proposal to farm weka. I was thinking that maybe if we really wanted to think about our indigenous biodiversity from a market point of view, maybe we should think about farming some of our threatened species, because there's nothing that's farmed [currently] that's threatened. Cows aren't at risk of going extinct, so maybe if we farmed weka… of course, we could eat some of them, there'd be lots. What qualities make a good drinking partner? Somebody who's prepared to push the boundaries of a story one step further than reality. Somebody who's got this quality of embellishment, and they'll take you with them past [the point] where it's believable. You're along for the ride, you're second guessing, but you want to believe. Have you ever had a Schnapp's election moment where you regretted your political instinct? Well, quite a few – coming into politics after being in civil engineering and having to play it straight for 25 years, you always get the sense that, well, I could open my mouth and say something that could end my political career. But that didn't stop me. Maybe providing suggestions for women's health and the use of appropriate, cost-effective period products. As my partner pointed out to me, most women would love to know that a man cared about their needs – [but] that's not what they were saying in the emails.
Scoop
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tight Job Market Limits Career Mobility For Asian Workers
Asian workers are increasingly finding themselves stuck in their current roles, with the tight job market making it harder to earn a promotion or find work elsewhere. The same is true for employees across the country in such market conditions but Asian workers face additional barriers related to language ability and migrant backgrounds that exacerbate their plight. New Zealand's unemployment rate held steady at 5.1 percent in the March quarter, meaning that roughly 156,000 people are currently out of work - the highest level since 2020. As a record number of job seekers compete for a shrinking pool of opportunities, Asian workers are feeling the strain. Many say they face limited career mobility, caught between an economic slowdown and a tightening labor market. A visitor service coordinator working in Auckland's public sector said low pay was a key reason he was considering leaving his job. "I've been in this role for three years, but my annual salary is just over $60,000," he said. "It's low and doesn't even meet New Zealand's median wage." The worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to job loss fears, said he had applied for nearly 100 roles similar to his current position in the past six months. To improve his chances, he had spent several hundred dollars on professional resume writing services but still received few interview opportunities. Seeking a pathway into a higher-paying career, he spent the past two years studying part time for a postgraduate diploma in applied business at Unitec. Before graduating, he began applying for business analyst roles but has so far been unsuccessful. "I got two interviews with two companies, but didn't get any further," he said. "It's hard to break into a new field unless you're exceptionally good." He said his migrant background also made it harder to advance in his career. "Locals find it much easier to get into management positions," he said. "But if you're an immigrant here, I feel it's much more difficult." "If it's hard to be promoted into senior roles, your salary is unlikely to grow," he said. "That's why I want to move into another field." He said he would not consider leaving his current job until he secured a new position with better pay. "I definitely won't quit my current job," he said. "If I don't have a job, I don't have income. I have two kids to care for and a mortgage to pay." A junior data engineer, who also spoke on condition of anonymity due to job loss fears, has been working at a market research agency in Auckland for the past 18 months. The woman said she had applied for 30 data engineer positions over the past four months, hoping to land a role at a larger company with a higher salary and better benefits - without success. "My current annual salary is around $72,000," she said."After two years, you can typically move up to a data engineer role, which pays between $90,000 and $100,000. But I haven't seen that kind of progression in my current position." She said the job market remained sluggish, with few openings available. "Positions similar to mine are limited right now," she said. "I've applied to every role that matches my qualifications and experience. "I only get responses when someone refers me internally, but interview opportunities are still limited. For the jobs I apply for online, without a referral, I rarely hear back." Eric, who asked that his family name be withheld due to job loss concerns, works as an account manager at a digital marketing agency in Auckland. Originally from Beijing, he previously spent six years working as a business analyst in China. He said his current annual salary was around $70,000 - significantly lower than what he earned in his previous role. However, he has struggled to find a similar position with comparable pay in New Zealand's tight job market. "I've sent out around 100 CVs since March," he said. "I barely hear back - only one interview, and that was with an Australian company, not a New Zealand one." Currently on a Partner of a Student Work Visa, he said it was difficult for migrants to secure jobs in today's competitive market. He planned to continue pursuing a higher-paying role at a larger company, though he was not optimistic about the job market this year. "I don't feel the overall employment market has improved," he said. "Many people - myself included - expected things to get better this year, or at least not worse," he said. "But, so far, it hasn't gone the way we hoped. We're still hearing about more redundancies." More applicants competing for fewer jobs According to Seek New Zealand's monthly report in May, job advertisements fell 2 percent compared to April and were down 8 percent from a year earlier - the slowest annual decline in more than two years. At the same time, applications per job ad rose 2 percent month on month to a record high. Seek country manager Rob Clark said the employment market felt like it was bumping along the bottom of the cycle, and, while things were not getting better, they were also not getting appreciably worse. Shay Peters, chief executive at recruitment agency Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand Photo: Supplied Shay Peters, chief executive at recruitment agency Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, said the job market in New Zealand remained relatively tight. While there were still a high number of applications for each vacancy, he said many candidates were not necessarily well aligned with the roles they were applying for. "People are broadening their search, applying for positions either above or below their usual level due to the challenging job market and a limited number of roles at their experience level," he said. Peters said the biggest challenge job seekers faced right now was the imbalance between the number of candidates and the limited roles available. At the same time, he said, job seekers could no longer expect significant salary increases, as employers were holding firm on budgets. Economists expect unemployment to edge higher The Treasury's Budget Economic and Fiscal Update for 2025 expected the unemployment rate would rise to 5.4 percent in the June quarter, before gradually declining to 4.3 percent by the end of the forecast period. The Reserve Bank, meanwhile, expected unemployment to peak at 5.2 percent mid-year before easing back to 5.1 percent by the December quarter. Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics, said the unemployment rate was likely to edge higher in the June and possibly September quarters amid ongoing uncertainty. "[It's] international events - particularly tariffs and the trade war, but also unrest in the Middle East," he said. "We think both of those will just delay the pickup in hiring and employment that we have been anticipating to come through in the second part of this year." Gareth Kiernan, chief forecaster at Infometrics Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King Kiernan said the labour market remained weak, possibly taking longer than expected to recover. Mark Smith, senior economist at ASB, said the unemployment rate typically followed the health of the broader economy. While there were some positive signs - namely, lower interest rates and favourable export prices across several major sectors - he said it would take time for hiring demand and consumer spending to pick up. "Lower interest rates are feeding through slowly, existing borrowers won't benefit from that until they reach their next reset period," he said. "Households in particular on average have probably fixed their mortgages for about a year - some more, some less - when you get a move in interest rates, you know it can take a full year before everyone actually benefits from it. "Other notable positives are some quite favorable export prices across a range of our major exports - like dairy, meat, fruit and even forestry," Smith said. "There is some good income growth for farmers, but they're not big employers," he said. "There are a few [positive] things there," he said, "but it's not pointing to an immediate upturn in hiring demand." Smith said ASB expected the unemployment rate to rise a bit further this year, and New Zealanders might have to wait until the end of the year to see any sign of it starting to decline. He said once consumer spending picked up, industries such as retail, wholesale and personal services might begin to see an upturn. However, the construction sector might take longer to recover due to its long cycles and ongoing job losses, he said. Meanwhile, healthcare and education - sectors with large percentages of government funding - continued to perform relatively well and saw sustained job growth, he said. Smith said New Zealand's adult population continued to grow, driven by both net migration and natural increases. The challenge for job seekers, he said, was that not enough new jobs were being created to absorb population growth. "A key issue is not just when we see employment rising," he said, "but whether it's rising fast enough to absorb population growth."
1News
25-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
Govt presses for taller buildings around some Auckland train stations
The Government is allowing greater housing and development around some Auckland train stations, preparing for an increase in demand with the new City Rail Link. Previously, the Government said Auckland Council must enable a minimum of no less than six storeys in a walkable distance around the Maungawhau (Mount Eden), Kingsland, and Morningside stations. The change was intended to reflect "higher demand for housing and business' in these areas. Now, it said the changes, outlined in the Resource Management (Consenting and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, "didn't go far enough" – and would require upzoning allowing buildings of at least 15 storeys high around those stations. It also added the Mt Albert and Baldwin Avenue stations to the list, requiring upzoning allowing buildings in these areas of at least 10 storeys high. ADVERTISEMENT Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown said the Mt Albert and Baldwin stations were "ripe for development", sited close to the Unitec campus and Mt Albert's popular shops and cafes. 'The Government is determined to fix our housing crisis and a key step toward that is unlocking housing capacity in Auckland. The best place to start is by building housing around high quality public transport.' Brown said the CRL was a 'game-changing investment in the future of Auckland'. 'It will unlock significant economic opportunity, but only if we have a planning system to allow businesses and residents to take advantage of it.' Bishop said the City Rail Link was a more than $5 billion investment in Auckland's continued growth. 'Enabling greater housing intensification along this corridor will help us maximise the benefits of this investment and provide more homes in a city geared up for growth.' 'The Resource Management (Consenting and Other Matters) Amendment Bill allows Auckland Council to withdraw its intensification plan change, PC78, with a requirement to notify a new plan change by 10 October this year. The upzoning we're announcing today will be incorporated into that new plan change.'
Irish Independent
12-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
30 new jobs for Tipperary as tech company Unitec opens new facility
Clonmel based Unitec announced 30 new jobs with the opening of their headquarters in Powerstown House, Gurtnafleur, Clonmel, marking 'a significant milestone in the company's expansion and long-term commitment to regional development." Unitec is an Irish-owned IT support and managed services provider now celebrating its 16th year of business. The jobs announcement was made at their headquarters in Powerstown House, Gurtnafleur, Clonmel, marking 'a significant milestone in the company's expansion and long-term commitment to regional development,' said a spokesperson. The 30 new jobs are to be created over the next three years. They will span roles in engineering, quality assurance, production, logistics, and administrative support, with recruitment to begin immediately. Unitec has said it will place a strong emphasis on hiring locally where possible and working with local education providers to foster talent in the region. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by managing director Ian Power, technical director Aiden Ryan, with the support of special guests, Tipperary cathaoirleach Declan Burgess, Christine Clancy of Enterprise Ireland, and Michelle Aylward, CEO of the County Tipperary Chamber of Commerce. While director Miguel Marques was unable to attend in person, his role in guiding Unitec's strategic development was warmly acknowledged during the proceedings. Unitec's new facility, located in the Clonmel Business and Technology Park, will serve as a hub for high-precision engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing services across a range of sectors, including medical devices, electronics, and advanced industrial technologies. The investment reflects both rising international demand for Unitec's services and the company's belief in the talent and potential of the Tipperary region. Speaking at the event, Mr Power said. 'This is a landmark day for Unitec. Our new Clonmel facility allows us to enhance our technical capabilities, scale our operations, and create high-quality employment in a region known for its engineering heritage and skilled workforce. 'We're immensely proud of what our team has achieved and grateful for the support we've received from Enterprise Ireland, Tipperary County Council, and our local community.' Unitec is celebrating its 16th anniversary of successful business. Unitec's new facility, located in the Clonmel Business and Technology Park, will serve as a hub for high-precision engineering Cllr Burgess spoke of the positive impact the investment will have locally. 'It's inspiring to see a company like Unitec grow and invest in Clonmel. The creation of 30 new jobs is a major boost for our community and a clear signal that Tipperary is a thriving location for innovation and advanced manufacturing,' said Cllr Burgess. Ms Clancy praised Unitec's achievement, saying: 'Their focus on innovation and quality aligns closely with Enterprise Ireland's commitment to helping Irish companies scale internationally and contribute meaningfully to the local economy.' Ms Aylward added: 'This opening is more than a ribbon-cutting — it's a celebration of growth, collaboration, and long-term vision. Unitec's expansion is a fantastic endorsement of the region's capabilities, and we look forward to working with the company as it continues to thrive.' The opening ceremony concluded with a guided tour of the new premises, showcasing the facility's advanced manufacturing equipment, cleanroom capabilities, and collaborative workspaces. Guests were also treated to a reception with refreshments and networking opportunities. Unitec's investment in Clonmel forms part of a broader strategic plan to grow its footprint both in Ireland and internationally, and to respond to increasing client demand for high-quality, agile engineering solutions. Founded in Ireland, Unitec provides end-to-end precision engineering, design, and manufacturing services to clients in highly regulated sectors. 'Known for its technical expertise, client focus, and culture of innovation, Unitec continues to be a trusted partner for businesses across Europe and beyond,' said a spokesperson. The announcement comes at a time of growing demand for digital transformation services in Ireland's business sector, and reflects Unitec's commitment to investing in regional talent, innovation, and economic development. The new roles will also span areas including IT support, cybersecurity, cloud engineering, business systems, project management, and client services. The grand opening event brought together public representatives, business leaders, and industry stakeholders to celebrate Unitec's continued growth Counties to benefit from this job growth include Tipperary, Waterford, Cork, Kilkenny, Dublin, and Limerick, aligning with Unitec's vision of building a distributed, connected workforce that supports businesses nationwide. Founded in 2009, Unitec has become a respected provider of IT solutions to SMEs and enterprise clients throughout Ireland, delivering services including managed IT support, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, Microsoft 365, and infrastructure design.
Techday NZ
05-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Unitec launches Doctor of Computing for advanced research
Unitec has introduced its Doctor of Computing (DCOMP) programme, offering new opportunities for advanced, applied research in computing for both domestic and eligible international students. The launch of the DCOMP marks a development for Unitec's School of Computing, Electrical, and Applied Technology, broadening the scope for postgraduate study in response to evolving industry demands in the computing sector. The programme builds on the foundation laid by Unitec's Master of Applied Technologies – Computing (MAT) and is open to graduates from a range of international institutions. According to Professor Hamid Sharifzadeh, Professor and Academic Programme Manager at the School of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology, "The DCOMP is a natural progression for our Master of Applied Technologies – Computing (MAT) graduates and an exciting opportunity to welcome talented master's graduates from around the world." Professor Sharifzadeh further stated, "It reflects our school's deep commitment to applied research that makes a tangible difference across industry and the communities we serve, addressing local and global challenges." The DCOMP is a research-intensive doctoral programme designed to accommodate students from varied computing backgrounds. It covers a range of topics, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, and additional emerging areas. Supervision within the programme is provided by a team of experienced academics, with Professor Sharifzadeh responsible for strategic academic oversight. The DCOMP structure is specifically tailored to professionals with substantial industry backgrounds, ensuring a blend of practical expertise and academic research. "We're proud to offer a professional practice pathway that allows students to embed their industry insights into their research, producing outcomes that are not only academically sound but highly relevant to real-world challenges," said Professor Sharifzadeh. The DCOMP has gained early attention from both local and overseas students, many of whom are past graduates of Unitec. Professor Sharifzadeh remarked, "It's been especially encouraging to see our past students eager to continue their journey with us." Entry requirements for the DCOMP include holding a master's degree, ideally with a research focus. The selection process is described as rigorous, aligning with the programme's aim to attract candidates with demonstrated academic capabilities and a strong commitment to advancing the field of applied computing. Unitec also encourages applications from individuals with multidisciplinary backgrounds, especially where computing intersects with sectors such as health, education, business, and the creative industries. This is intended to support research that addresses the practical needs at the intersection of technology and other fields. Graduates of the DCOMP are expected to move into significant positions across industry sectors, academic institutions, and government agencies. Professor Sharifzadeh noted, "Whether leading innovation in tech firms, shaping AI policy, or contributing to research institutions, we expect our graduates will drive meaningful digital transformation."
